Climate change and water under the microscope at international conference co-hosted by the University of Regina

News Release Release Date: October 12, 2012 12:35 p.m.

The University of Regina, in partnership with the United Nations Water for Life Decade in Canada and University of Texas in Austin is hosting a major international conference Storm Warning: Water, Energy, and Climate Security in a Changing World October 15-19 in Banff, Alberta.

“Our weather is changing in a fairly dramatic fashion,” said University of Regina Vice-President, Research Dennis Fitzpatrick. “In 2001-02, the Canadian Prairies experienced the worst drought since the 1930s. In 2007, Manitoba experienced Canada’s first ever F-5 tornado. We are gathering experts from around the globe to examine these and other issues and search for answers.”

The conference has attracted approximately 70 experts from Canada, The United States, China and Japan to address six sources of significant uncertainty that will affect water, energy and climate security in a changing world. One of the highlights of the conference will be a tour of the Columbia Icefields. The Athabasca Glacier has receded significantly since the mid-1800s. Conference participants will also engage in discussions on the costs of adapting to catastrophic events, and transboundary water management.

The desired outcome of the conference is to create leadership amongst the attendees and make recommendations regarding research areas for future funding and policies to address climate change to national governments.